Wolfsburg’s path to Berlin leads via Leipzig. In the DFB Cup quarter-finals, VfL will compete with the last weakening Bundesliga competitor from Saxony on Wednesday-and, according to coach Ralph Hasenhüttl, wants to ensure a surprise.
“Respect is absolutely great for this opponent because they have a lot of good players in their ranks,” said Hasenhüttl in the NDR LiveCenter before the away game on Wednesday (8:45 p.m.). “We have to take our hearts in our hands again with conviction. Then the chance is also there to create a sensation.”
RB coach Rose: “Wolfsburg has developed very well”
After the last five draw from the past six league games, the Leipziger slipped to sixth in the table. “We don’t play the stars from heaven at the moment, you have to say that honestly,” said RB coach Marco Rose, for whom it could be tight in the event of a defeat, and praised the Lower Saxony. “Wolfsburg has developed very well and stable. It is difficult to score goals against them and get opportunities.”
For Hasenhüttl, the favorite role is still clearly with the Saxons. The Leipziger are “always a power at home and if you want to get something, you have to play a top game,” said the Austrian, who had been on the sidelines from 2016 to 2018.
“Every trainer” wants to go to Berlin
The 57-year-old wants to lead Wolfsburg to the second cup victory after 2015. The final on May 24th in the Berlin Olympic Stadium is “the most interesting game that is played in Germany. Accordingly, every trainer wants to go there,” said Hasenhüttl: “Our opponent has already won it twice, was four times in the final. Also done.
Arnold, Grabara and also NMECHA are missing
However, the VfL coach has to do without his captain Maximilian Arnold (knee injury) and goalkeeper Kamil Grabara (thigh injury). Lukas Nmecha will also be missing. The attacker has problems with his adductors again, said Hasenhüttl and struggled with the continued bad luck of his protégé injury. A player who does not train a week or two and stay fit is “difficult to integrate. But we just have to stay tuned.”
Possible lists:
RB Leipzig: Vandevoordt – Seiwald, Orban, Lukeba – R. Baku, Vermeeren, Kampl, Raum – Openda, Sesko, Xavi
VfL Wolfsburg: M. Müller – Fischer, Vavro, Koulierakis, Maehle – Svanberg – Wimmer, Gerhardt – Skov Olsen, Tiago Tomas – Amoura
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Sport Current | 26.02.2025 | 11:17 p.m.
